News

Vaccination Campaign Launching Ceremony Speech

Published

9 years ago

July 22, 2017

Turks and Caicos, July 22, 2017 – Providenciales – The Animal Health Services Division is the that section of the Agriculture Department that is charged with the responsibility to prevent the introduction and spread of animal disease, to protect and promote animal health, to control the movement of animals and animal products, into, from and within the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), coupled to that is the control of animals.

To prevent the development of a disease or to prevent its spread, we must destroy the agent, host and environment link. The combination of medicine and non-pharmaceutical measures work best to break such link. Veterinary care along with keeping our environment clean while reducing the number of animals roaming are some of the things we can do to prevent the development and spread of diseases.

This vaccination program is a direct result of a suspected parvovirus outbreak that occurred on Grand Turk during the month of April of this year. It happened just one month into my acting as CVO commenced. As a result, the AHS put measures in place to combat the spread of the disease. Some of the steps inconvenienced those people who wanted to take their pets for walks, it also affected those traveling with pets. In the end, the measures served its purpose. After the situation in Grand Turk, I put a disease surveillance program in place where the clinics report on the animal disease for the month. This surveillance mechanism led to an early detection of Canine Distemper in the later part of June.

Further, the parvovirus crises provide us the opportunity to be proactive as such we have this vaccination campaign as a second intervention, I thought about it for a while, then I shared it with the AHS team, then with Mr. Dexter Gordon who was Ag. Director at the time. Both Mr. Gordon and the AHS team endorsed the idea, I then called the veterinarians and welfare groups on the island to ask what are their thoughts about us collaborating on the First National Vaccination Campaign for Dogs in the Turks and Caicos Islands. They too thought it is what we need, as such lend their support, hence here we are today, putting our agendas aside in the interest of the animals.

Why a vaccination campaign?

Vaccines provide the best protection against viruses, to this end we have secured the Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis combination vaccine along with some Rabies vaccines. In the absence of vaccines, dogs are at risk of being infected with some of the most contagious diseases among canines. Two of the diseases mentioned that the dogs would receive immunization against are zoonotic (can be spread from animals to humans). According to Center for Disease Control, 6 out of every10 infectious disease are of animal origin, and 3 or of every 4 new emerging diseases are also of animal origin. The interdependent relationship between humans and animals, for food, cloth, shelter, transportation, recreation, and companionship put people at risk of contracting a zoonotic disease. Therefore, we would be wise to promote and protect animal health, for by so doing we are protecting our health and the health of our loved ones.

How will the program work?

There will be an in-clinic and an outreach aspect to the campaign. From Monday, July 24, 2017, until August 12, 2017, animal owners can take their dogs to Bark and Bliss, Wooding Vet Service or TCveterinary Association any day during their opening hours and they will administer the vaccines free. As it relates to the outreach aspect, three teams will be in an area at three different locations on Saturdays between 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Again you can take your animals for the free vaccines. Tomorrow Saturday, one team will be at Walkin Marine Gas Station, another at the Jetty, opposite the government clinic and another at Grant’s Gas Station at the junction of Phase 2 and Millennium Highway. The next Saturday we will be in Kew Town and Five Cays. Then we will move to Glass Shack, Leeward Highway, The Bight, Jubba Sound, Long Bay and Leeward.

After completing Providenciales, we will move to Grand Turk for one Saturday then on to South Caicos.

Since there exists that interdependent relationship between humans and animals, we are encouraging all pet owners to take advantage of the free vaccines, to protect your animal’s health, in so doing you will be protecting your health and the health of your loved ones.

Thank you

News

Invest Turks and Caicos Islands Takes Platinum Sponsor Role at Premier Hotel Investment Summit

Published

3 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.

Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.

ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.

The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.

Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.

CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.

In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.

The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.

The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.

Bahamas News

From Hollywood to Parliament

Published

3 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

The Rick Fox Political Timeline

“Are You Thinking About Politics?”

Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”

October 19, 2025

“Then Jump, Man.”

Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.

November 24, 2025

“The Bahamas Must Be First”

Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.

February 4, 2026

“Officially Picked”

The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.

March 20, 2026

“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”

Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.

March 30, 2026

“I’m Giving The Salary Back”

Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of Garden Hills.

April 14, 2026

“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”

A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.

April 16, 2026

“Pick Rick” Officially Launches

Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.

April 19, 2026

“Vote and Win”

Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.

April 20, 2026

“The Wealthiest Candidate”

Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.

April 25, 2026

“The Garden Hills Blueprint”

Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:

youth development,
healthcare access,
infrastructure upgrades,
environmental restoration,
entrepreneurship,
and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.

May 4, 2026

“The Numbers Don’t Lie”

Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:

20 community clean-ups,
16 streets and locations served,
and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.

May 6, 2026

“Shaq Steps In”

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.

May 8, 2026

“Buju Backs Rick”

Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.

May 10, 2026

“Vanessa Williams Endorses”

Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.

May 11, 2026

“Magic Joins the Campaign”

NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.

May 12, 2026

“Election Day”

Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.

May 13, 2026

“Grace in Defeat”

Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.

May 18, 2026

“We Pick Rick”

Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:

“We Pick Rick.”

The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

News

Multi-Agency Enforcement Action Conducted in Lower Bight

Published

3 days ago

May 23, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a privately-owned parcel of land.

The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.

This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.